Naya is a young refugee girl who has fled to Brisbane, Australia with her mother Amina after her father was taken away in the night. As Christmas approaches, Naya hears the other children talking about Santa Claus coming to visit their homes on Christmas Eve. Having experienced trauma and dislocation, Naya is suspicious and frightened of this strange man who comes at night. Amina tries to explain but Naya is still confused. She can only confide her fears to her beloved doll Fatima.

On Christmas Eve, Naya is terrified Santa will take her away. Amina comforts Naya and tells her that Santa only visits Australian children, so they are safe. After her mother tucks her into bed, Naya wakes in the night and hears a man's voice. She thinks Santa has come. Clutching her doll for comfort, Naya bravely runs to defend her mother, only to find it's her father, who has miraculously found them. The family shares an emotional reunion, with Naya realizing that Christmas can be a time of hope and celebration. 

The story centres around Naya, her mother Amina, her doll Fatima, and the joy of being reunited with her father. With charming colourful illustrations, it gently explores themes of cultural differences, displacement and the refugee experience, childhood fears, and the redemption that comes from reuniting with loved ones. Naya's imagination and childlike perspective shape her experience of events, while her innocence and play with her doll Fatima offset some of the harsher realities. Despite the trauma and dislocation Naya has experienced, her resilience, imagination, and ability to adapt to her new life shine through. The ending of the story shows the power of hope.

The main target audiences are: 

• Families with young children ages 4-8

• Educators looking for multicultural books

• People interested in refugee experiences/immigrant stories